TACOMA, Wash. – A strong second half wasn’t enough to propel the Evergreen Geoducks past the Puget Sound Loggers, falling 72-65 in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

After struggling to find their shot early on Tuesday against Saint Martin’s, the Geoducks came out strong against the Loggers.  Evergreen managed 13-of-25 shooting in the first half for 52.0-percent, including six from behind the arc.  Puget Sound shot well themselves, making 44.8-percent, including nine-of-11 on free throws and a 19-9 rebounding edge to take the 38-33 lead into the break.

Evergreen continued to battle back in the second half, eventually tying the game at 56-56 with 6:53 left on a jumper by Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS).  Senior Jessica Edge (Lake Stevens, Wash./Skagit Valley CC) gave the Geoducks the lead on the next possession, dropping in a layup with 6:03 left to play.  The two teams traded the lead a few times down the stretch but the Loggers found a way down the stretch, earning the 72-65 win.

Evergreen was led by 20 points and 12 rebounds from Swain.  Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Skagit Valley CC) added 13 points.  After having just nine rebounds in the first half, the Geoducks finished with 37 rebounds on the night.

Puget Sound was led by 27 points from Kelsey McKinnis, who was 12-of-12 from the charity stripe.  Katy Ainslie added 14 in the win while Sarah Stewart chalked up 12 points for UPS.  The Loggers had a slight advantage on the block with five, compared with four for Evergreen.

The Geoducks are next in action on Friday at Noon when they take on Saint Martin’s in Bellingham, Wash. as part of the Lynda Goodrich Classic, hosted by Western Washington University.  The game will be a counter for SMU and an exhibition for Evergreen.

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